Security Council Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Yemen

Some 50 people have been either killed or injured in Yemen’s capital Sanaa after five car bombs went off near Shia mosques and the headquarters of the Houthi rebels. Islamic State has claimed responsibility, calling the attack a “revenge.”

The explosions targeted three Sanaa mosques, the Hashush mosque, the Kibsi mosque, and the al-Qubah al-Khadra mosque, as well as the headquarters of the Ansarullah movement of the Houthis, Reuters reported.

The fifth explosion took place at the Al-Tayssir mosque, AFP added, saying that the blasts went off simultaneously. The agency said that the bomb which struck the Hashush mosque also hit the house of a Houthi leader Taha al-Mutawakel.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the horrific 17 June terrorist attacks in Sana’a, Yemen, including at three mosques, which resulted in a number of deaths and casualties. The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured by these heinous acts, as well as to the people and the Government of Yemen.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever, and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations. The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Yemeni authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) militants claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that it was a“revenge for the Muslims” against “the Houthi apostates.” IS supporters also reportedly exchanged celebratory messages on social media. The extremist Sunni Muslim group views Shia Houthis as heretics.

“The explosion was so loud I thought it was caused by an air strike,” an elderly man named Ali told Reuters, “I returned and found cars burning, people screaming and wounded people all over.”

The bombs were planted near the entrances to holy sites and detonated as worshippers arrived for prayers, witnesses told AFP.

There are conflicting reports as to the number of casualties. AFP put the number killed at 31, adding that dozens were injured in the blasts, while Reuters cited local officials as saying that 50 people were either killed or injured.